The Music Library Association is seeking qualified candidates for the position of MLA Archivist. The MLA Archivist is a special officer of MLA whose principal responsibility is to oversee MLA’s archives activities. Please read description below for further details.
Responsibilities
● Serve as MLA’s official contact with the Curator of Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA), University of Maryland, College Park, owner and custodian of the MLA Archives;
● Collaborate with the Curator of SCPA in the development of MLA policies and practices regarding the association’s archives program and the maintenance of its archives;
● While processing the MLA Archive will take place at UMD under local supervision, implement the policies & approach recommended by SCPA, with input from the archivist;
● Take the lead on encouraging the transfer electronic records generated by past and present officers, chairs, and others acting in an official capacity for MLA.
● Lead an outreach initiative to fill in record gaps by previous officers, chairs, and other official records creators.
● In the context of the association’s documents retention guidelines, assure that documents are assembled by the responsible incumbents and are conveyed to the MLA Archives within the time periods specified. “Documents” refers to any format in which the information may be stored: print, electronic or other;
● Prepare grant proposals in collaboration with the Curator of SPCA, the MLA Board of Directors, and the MLA Development Officer, and when appropriate serve as principal investigator or its equivalent.
Qualifications
Required:
● Familiarity with archives work adequate to the duties of the position, experience and knowledge of archival processing practices, and awareness of national issues and trends in archives;
● Demonstrated leadership experience, the ability to meet deadlines, and effective communication skills;
● A thorough familiarity with MLA’s activities and administrative organization;
● Current membership in MLA
Preferred:
● Professional experience in an archival setting;
● Knowledge of MLA’s history;
● An earned Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited institution and/or a Master’s degree or certification in Archival Studies;
● Grant-writing experience
Honorarium
The special officer position receives gratis regular member MLA membership; gratis early registration for annual conference; and support for expenses necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position including travel for an initial visit to the MLA Archives.
Appointment
The duration of appointment is one year, beginning immediately following the MLA Annual Meeting in Orlando, February 2017, with annual reappointment possible (pending board approval) for a total of four years. The successful candidate will be appointed at the February 2017 annual meeting and will work closely with the Curator of Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA), University of Maryland, College Park, owner and custodian of the MLA Archives.